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Re: Wiring postlight with photocell and outlet

If you have no knowledge in how to wire an outdoor light post, you better get a pro to do it.
This is not a project for the unskilled DIY and even if we give you step by step instructions, it won't be a good idea.

Re: Wiring postlight with photocell and outlet

Since the post will be 'hot wired', the outlet gets the usual black wire to the brass colored screw, the white wire to the silver colored screw and the ground to the green screw. OR to the same colored wires.

The same colored wires should go from the outlet to the light; the white wire goes to the lamp white wire or socket, the ground goes to ground (if there is one) and the black goes to the light sensor then to the light socket or its black wire. Think of the photo cell as a light switch that turns the electricity on and off.

Re: Wiring postlight with photocell and outlet

Lamar,

It looks like you want to do this project after all.

In that case, if your power supply is at the panel, and the light post is somewhere in the yard, make sure that your wire runs underground, to code. 6" deep below grade if in metal conduit, 18" deep if in PVC conduit and 24" deep if it's unprotected exterior wire.

Is your post the kind that has to be set in concrete? If yes, do the concrete work now, then wait a couple of days to continue. Make sure that your wire is protected inside the concrete and long enough to go into the post later.

Re: Wiring postlight with photocell and outlet

Lamar, in addition to all the other comments, maybe you can save a little bit of trenching if you run direct burial UF cable electrically protected by no more than a 20A 120V GFCI breaker or receptacle.

If such cable is run on a 1 or 2 family location it can be run just 12" below grade. Where the cable emerges from the trench it should be physically protected by a raceway such as PVC conduit.

While not required, I always place a warning tape or 2" wide treated board above the wire.